Protect your merchandise from theives with an ELECTRONIC SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM. The goods in your store are secured with an electronic tag that can only be removed with a detacher at your cash desk. If a thief tries to steal a tagged merchandise, the alarm rings. Simple. If by chance the criminal successfully steals merchandise without an alarm sounding, the security tag must the be remove without damage, which is virtually impossible.
Most shoplifters know this and move on to an "unprotected" store, and goods remain to be sold for profit.

SHOPTHEFT CONTROL INC's objective is DETERRENCE & PREVENTION

Working with a Tag Deterrence System

Tagging Merchandise:
Tags should be placed on the merchandise, where they can be easily removed using the detaching device, but where a thief would seriously damage the item if the tag was removed without the proper device.
Tags should be visible from the outside, as to let the criminal know they are protected.

Approaching Someone Who Seems to Have Set off the Alarm:
Very politely, ask the person whom you suspect of setting off the alarm to walk back through the system. At this point, the person will either co-operate or flee. If the alarm sounds when they walk through again, suggest that one of the sales staff may have forgotten to remove an inventory control tag from their purchase. AVOID using words like theft or stealing, and don't accuse unless you have actually seen them stealing and kept them in your sight the whole time.

WHO SHOPTHEFTS AND WHY

Looks can be deceiving, when you consider that every customer is a possible shoplifter.
Basically shoplifters can be divided into various catagories: Professionals, General/impulse, Kleptomaniacs, Juveniles, Drug addicts. The following are profiles of these individuals and the motivation behind them.

Professional Shoplifter:
These are skilled thieves who have specialized techniques. They steal for a livelihood. It is their job. The professional is the hardest to detect. Pros usually target expensive items.

General/Impulse Public:
Usually these are everyday citizens who are bored or need to strech their budgets. These people may have no intention to steal but they are presented with an easy risk-free opportunity.

Kleptomaniac:
These people steal because of a psychological compulsion. Preventing the kleptomaniacs from stealing is a service to both the offender and the community.

Juveniles:
This group makes up nearly half of all shoplifters. Many do it just for "kicks". Some young offenders shoplift in gangs and compete to see who can steal the most.

Drug Addicts:
These people shoplift to support their habits, so they are often desperate and dangerous.

Experts agree that most shop theft isn't done out of neccessity, but rather the decision to steal is based on opportunity. The item is unprotected, the store employees are busy elsewhere, and the exit is right there. The item goes into a bag and out the door, only to become a shrinkage statistic at the end of the year.
Over $3,200,000,00 in thefts occured in Canada in 1995.

TIPS FOR CONTROLLING SHOPTHEFT!

GREETING: A major detterent against shoptheft is Customer Services. Customers like to be acknowledged. Shoplifters do not.
FLOOR COVERAGE: Be aware of all customers, never turn your back on a customer or the front of the store. In very busy times, assign floor positions, especially the fitting rooms.
AVOID BLIND SPOTS: When merchandising or setting up displays, keep lines of sight open if possible. If you need a convex mirror, call to have one installed. Be sure racks aren't obstructing your view around the store.
PRODUCT KNOWLEDGE: Know your stock and prices. This eliminates price switching. If you are aware if the prices, this should never happen.
CLEANLINESS: Keep your store neat, clean, and tidy. No empty hangers on the floor or fitting rooms. Check fitting rooms after each customer.
GROUPS: If several people enter the store, be aware of all of them. Often shoplifters will work in pairs, diverting your attention while the others are free to steal.
"JUST LOOKING" CUSTOMERS: Browsing is fine, but be aware of them. Watch for darting eyes and nervous hands. Don't be afraid to re-aproach and ask them "How are you making out?""Do you need help?"
BAGS, BOXES, Bulky Clothing: Anything a shoplifter could conceal merchandise in. Shopping bags from other stores are often used to steal goods. Booster bags, specifically designed for the purpose of, as well as boster clothing, pockets torn on the inside of the coat, strollers, baby carriers, large handbags, shopping carts, etc..
RECEIPTS: Issue receipts for all purchases, and not refunds or exchanges without a receipt.
FITTING ROOMS: Restrict the number of items to be taken into a fitting room at one time, and monitor the items going in and coming out. If someone has been in the fitting room an unusally long time, go back, knock and politely ask "How are you doing?"
Be aware of customers who put on artticles of clothing and leave without paying.
MALL SECURITY: If you suspect that someone is shoplifting, alert a co-worker and mall security. Use the mall security to your advantage.
STORAGE ROOMS: Restrict entrance to authorized personnel, don't let customers use washrooms. Authorized storage and supply rooms must be kept secure.
STORE FRONT: This area is vulnerable for shoptheft. Sercrity tags must be a certain distance from the alarm system and therefore articles in the very front portion of the store cannot be tagged. Do not remove another store's security tag.
DEFACING: Defacing merchandise to make it appear used, and claiming to have purchased it at another time.
DOUBLE-DIPPING: Items previously paid for left outside the store, the customer returns to the store, picks up identical items and then buys something additional. The customer has a receipt.
HIDDING: Watch for customers hiding an article inside of another.

This information page is provided for you, courtesy of Shoptheft Control Inc.